Bellinger powers Yankees past Royals with two homers, five RBIs in 13-4 win
Novel YORK — Cody Bellinger delivered a vintage performance at the plate, launching two home runs and driving in five runs to lead the New York Yankees to a 13-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
The win improved the Yankees’ record to 12-8 on the young 2026 MLB season and extended their home winning streak to four games. Bellinger, in his first full season with New York after signing a seven-year, $180 million contract in the offseason, showed why the Yankees invested heavily in his offensive versatility.
Bellinger’s first homer came in the second inning off Royals starter Brady Singer, a 412-foot shot to left-center that cleared the batter’s eye and gave New York an early 2-0 lead. He added a second solo blast in the fifth inning, this time a 398-foot line drive to right field off reliever Jackson Kowar, stretching the Yankees’ advantage to 8-2.
“He was locked in today,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game. “When Cody gets the barrel on the ball like that, especially with runners on base, he changes the complexion of the game. Those were two of his best swings of the season.”
Beyond the power, Bellinger contributed with a two-run double in the seventh inning off reliever Jon Heasley, bringing his total RBI to five for the game. He finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, walking once and striking out once.
The Yankees’ offense was relentless throughout, plating runs in five different innings. Jazz Chisholm Jr. Added three hits and two RBIs, whereas Anthony Volpe and Gleyber Torres each drove in two runs. New York collected 15 hits and drew eight walks, capitalizing on six Royals errors that led to four unearned runs.
“We put together quality at-bats all day,” Boone said. “We made them work, we took advantage of mistakes, and when you receive performances like Bellinger’s, it makes everything easier.”
On the mound, Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six and walking two. He improved to 3-2 on the season, showing improved command after a shaky start to the year.
Schmidt was relieved by a bullpen that held Kansas City to just two more runs over the final four innings. Relievers Ian Hamilton, Clay Holmes, and Luke Weaver combined for four scoreless innings, allowing only three hits while striking out five.
For the Royals, the loss dropped them to 8-12 on the season. Singer took the loss, lasting only 3.2 innings and surrendering six runs on seven hits, including Bellinger’s second-inning homer. He walked four and struck out three.
Kansas City managed just six hits and left nine runners on base. Shortstop Maikel Garcia was the only Royal to collect multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. The team committed three errors in the field, continuing a trend of defensive struggles that have plagued them early in the season.
“We didn’t execute on either side of the ball today,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We gave them too many free bases, and when you fall behind early against a lineup like New York’s, it’s hard to claw back.”
The victory moved the Yankees into a tie for second place in the AL East, one game behind the Tampa Bay Rays. New York now holds a 3.5-game lead over the Boston Red Sox for the final wild-card spot in the American League.
Bellinger’s performance continued a strong start to his Yankees tenure. Through 20 games, he is batting .298 with five home runs, 18 RBIs, and an .892 OPS. His ability to hit for both power and average has provided a much-needed boost to the middle of New York’s order.
“He’s been exactly what we hoped for,” Boone said. “He brings energy, he can play multiple positions, and he produces in clutch spots. We’re glad to have him in the lineup every day.”
The Yankees will look to carry this momentum into their next series, a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays beginning Monday night at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET (23:05 UTC).
As fans filtered out of Yankee Stadium under a clear spring sky, the buzz around Bellinger’s impact was palpable. For a team aiming to end a postseason drought that dates back to 2009, performances like Saturday’s offer a tangible reminder of what’s possible when the pieces click.
The Yankees return to action on Monday, seeking to build on a statement win that reaffirmed their offensive potential and highlighted the immediate return on their investment in one of baseball’s most accomplished hitters.
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